Vic Marks opens new pavilion on County Ground

A packed balcony for the opening of the new Exeter pavilion

FORMER Somerset and England all-rounder Vic Marks was the VIP guest who officially opened Exeter’s new £800,000 pavilion at the County Ground on Bank Holiday Monday.

Marks, who lives a six-hit away from the Prince of Wales Road ground, made a short speech before opening the pavilion by ringing the five-minute bell used to signal the start of games.

New Exeter chairman Julian Smith (on the left with Marks) presided over the ceremonies, attended by more than a hundred members, friends and dignitaries.

And Smith paid tribute to predecessor Bob Price for the work he put in to get the pavilion project completed.

“Many people contributed to this marvelous new building, but Bob went above and beyond with his drive and enthusiasm to overcome all the logistical problems and get it done,” said Smith.

“While we were sad to see the old pavilion go, it was a long overdue project.

“When the demolition men started taking the old one down, they said they were surprised it hadn’t fallen down years ago.”

When Exeter’s last pavilion was built and opened in 1902. Dr W G Grace brought his London Counties XI to the County Ground to play Devon in a two-day game.

The opening game in 2016 was between and Exeter XI mainly comprising university students past and present and club president Mike Medway’s XI.

Alex Morgan and Andrew Curtis both hit half centuries for the Invitation XI in a total of 205 for three.

The President’s XI were dismissed for 104 – Joe Rimmer taking four wickets for 18 runs.